The moderating effect of aggressive problem behaviors in the generation ofmore positive attitudes toward nursing home residents

This study examined the ability of a social history intervention to generat e more positive attitudes toward nursing home patients, and to increase sta ff members' perceived rewards of care-giving. In contrast to prior studies, residents' problem behaviors were examined as potential moderators in the relationship. Forty-three staff members participated in an experimental, 3 (informational condition: social history, medical, control) x 2 (time: pre- test, post-test) within-subjects factorial design that employed newly admit ted residents as target patients. Findings showed that the social history i ntervention alone did not generate more positive attitudes toward patients or greater rewards of care-giving. Although a larger proportion of target p atients manifested other problem behaviors with greater frequently, only ag gressive problem behavior was associated with more negative attitudes towar d patients. A post-hoc analysis revealed that after statistically controlli ng for the impact of patients' aggressive behavior, the social history info rmation appeared to allow staff members to maintain more neutral attitudes toward patients. Considerations for the use of social history information i n long-term care settings are addressed.